Oliver officially loves music class. I think he started to appreciate it so much more after Joanna was born. It's something he knows, something that stayed the same.
So, today, in spite of the snow storm, I was determined to make it to music class. My car wasn't as determined.
You see, I have to manually slide over the notch in my car to select where the air blows. There is debris or something that has it jammed, and it can't slide all the way over to windshield defogger. It used to not go at all, but my husband has used all of his might to slide it half way there for me a couple of times now. Unfortunately, I've lent my car out twice in the past three months (once to my parents and once to my in-laws), and, both times, I forgot to tell them not to slide the notch away from defogger. And, so, once again, I can't defog my windshield.
I left the house, and everything seemed OK. After half a mile, there was a light fog on my windshield. I resisted the urge to wipe and streak it, and I rolled down my window to the 27 degree weather instead. I figured, if the air temperature is the same inside the car as outside, it wouldn't fog. That's not what happened. The cold air mixed with the hot air I'd breathed onto the windshield and caused a total mess. I had to wipe it. Disaster. The windshield was streaked with fog and pearls of moisture. It completely deranged my view, and I couldn't make sense of what I was looking at. I thought about turning around, but I was 1/4 of the way there on a small street that only had turnoffs into unknown neighborhoods. Surely, it would be just as difficult to find a place to turn around and head home as it would be to make it to the rec center!
I was so very wrong. When there wasn't a car in front of me, I couldn't see the lanes. I kept trying to slide the notch over to windshield defogger, but it wouldn't hold. Half way to music class, driving on a busy street, looking out my side window to figure out where I was on the street, I realized it was more dangerous for me to press forward than it was to turn around. I somehow managed to switch lanes to turn left and head back home. I took all of the side roads so I could inch along, using anything I could as a guide to bring my car (and Oliver and me) home safely.
At a stoplight, I reached for my phone to call Andrew. He tried to insist on picking me up, but I was only three blocks from home. I didn't want Jo out in the mess, either, and on that long stretch on Yale, there's nowhere to pull over (It's a two lane road with open space on one side and gated communities on the other). Somehow, we made it back alive. I only really started to panic once; I kept fairly calm and collected the rest of the time, thankfully.
Oliver lost it when he saw we'd returned home. He'd known we were going to music class, and he started crying and screaming when we turned back into our townhome complex. Thankfully, my husband is amazing. He ran out of the house as we pulled up, and he quickly transferred Oliver to his car to drive him to music class. Joanna and I are now safe and warm at home, and the boys are at music class, singing and dancing the morning away.
I think I'd better refrain from driving in the cold from now on.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Music Class
Oliver has begun to thrive in music class. For the first time today, he walked into class on his own. It helped that I'd reminded him of all the fun things he gets to do in class. I'd said, "We're going to music class! You remember music class, where you get to play with the drums and maracas? And you get to listen to the song, "Watch out for the--FREEZE?"
He went in (only slightly hesitantly), and he didn't cry during any of the guitar parts. While he didn't participate in a number of songs, he did shake the maracas, throw the Wiffle balls onto the parachute, and help with all of the clean up (his favorite part). I left class feeling confident that I wanted to take it again with Oliver. It's really helping him be more social and cooperative with others.
He went in (only slightly hesitantly), and he didn't cry during any of the guitar parts. While he didn't participate in a number of songs, he did shake the maracas, throw the Wiffle balls onto the parachute, and help with all of the clean up (his favorite part). I left class feeling confident that I wanted to take it again with Oliver. It's really helping him be more social and cooperative with others.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Oliver's First Music Class (Again)
Oliver had his first music class today! That's kind of a lie. He's taken music class once before, but that was last winter (March - April). Today was his first music class since then.
Now that Oliver's older, music class doesn't conflict with his nap schedule. It starts at 9:30am now, and Oliver doesn't nap until 11:30am. So, that's good. I wish I could say that this first music class was a lot better than the last time, but that was not the case. Oliver confidently walked with me from the car to the rec center. I'd let him know there would be music and kids, and he sounded excited. However, just as we were about to step into the room, Oliver freaked out. He yelled, "No!" When I tried to tell him it was OK, he just threw himself to the floor.
I had a talk with Oliver about the class again. I told him there were kids and music, but crying isn't allowed. Then, I picked him up and carried him to the doorway and let him watch for a little bit. Then, I took him inside. He kept saying, "No," the entire time, and I felt bad. But, I tried to stay confident, and I took off his shoes and our jackets. I let him watch the kids for a while, and then we took a seat on the carpet. All of the other kids (like last time) were running around and playing. Oliver was too scared, but he did watch them.
When music class started, the teacher took out the guitar. Oliver was upset about this and started to cry. Thankfully, it only lasted a minute or so, and then we were on to the next activity (remember, this is the ADD music class!). He loved the activities where we danced and paused or danced and dipped. As soon as he'd get into it and start having fun, the activity was over.
Not all of the kids were very well behaved. One little guy liked to throw things--anything. Another little one liked to hit walls and windows with his instruments. I was glad I don't have to deal with those behaviors from Oliver, but I also wished he wasn't the only kid who wouldn't play the drums and maracas. He didn't for any of his classes last time, and he didn't this time, either.
Class is 45 minutes long. By the end, he was socializing a little more. During the maraca song (second from the last), he enjoyed walking up to each kid and touching his maraca to theirs. He also enjoyed clean-up and liked to put all the instruments away for the teacher.
In all, it wasn't the worst experience ever, but it definitely wasn't fun yet. Oliver spent a lot of the time whining and saying, "No," and telling the teacher to turn the music "off!" I can't help but feel discouraged when he buries himself into my lap as all the other kids drum on their drums. Still, I remind myself that this is why Oliver's in music class. He's there to get comfortable around kids and get more socialization. It's tough at first, but I hope it pays off.
Now that Oliver's older, music class doesn't conflict with his nap schedule. It starts at 9:30am now, and Oliver doesn't nap until 11:30am. So, that's good. I wish I could say that this first music class was a lot better than the last time, but that was not the case. Oliver confidently walked with me from the car to the rec center. I'd let him know there would be music and kids, and he sounded excited. However, just as we were about to step into the room, Oliver freaked out. He yelled, "No!" When I tried to tell him it was OK, he just threw himself to the floor.
I had a talk with Oliver about the class again. I told him there were kids and music, but crying isn't allowed. Then, I picked him up and carried him to the doorway and let him watch for a little bit. Then, I took him inside. He kept saying, "No," the entire time, and I felt bad. But, I tried to stay confident, and I took off his shoes and our jackets. I let him watch the kids for a while, and then we took a seat on the carpet. All of the other kids (like last time) were running around and playing. Oliver was too scared, but he did watch them.
When music class started, the teacher took out the guitar. Oliver was upset about this and started to cry. Thankfully, it only lasted a minute or so, and then we were on to the next activity (remember, this is the ADD music class!). He loved the activities where we danced and paused or danced and dipped. As soon as he'd get into it and start having fun, the activity was over.
Not all of the kids were very well behaved. One little guy liked to throw things--anything. Another little one liked to hit walls and windows with his instruments. I was glad I don't have to deal with those behaviors from Oliver, but I also wished he wasn't the only kid who wouldn't play the drums and maracas. He didn't for any of his classes last time, and he didn't this time, either.
Class is 45 minutes long. By the end, he was socializing a little more. During the maraca song (second from the last), he enjoyed walking up to each kid and touching his maraca to theirs. He also enjoyed clean-up and liked to put all the instruments away for the teacher.
In all, it wasn't the worst experience ever, but it definitely wasn't fun yet. Oliver spent a lot of the time whining and saying, "No," and telling the teacher to turn the music "off!" I can't help but feel discouraged when he buries himself into my lap as all the other kids drum on their drums. Still, I remind myself that this is why Oliver's in music class. He's there to get comfortable around kids and get more socialization. It's tough at first, but I hope it pays off.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Oliver's First Concert
Andrew's family has some family friends who own and run a couple Goddard preschools in the Denver-metro area. They put on a free concert at Wash Park for kiddos. We met Andrew's mom there and relaxed while listening to the band play a multitude of children's songs.
Oliver, who loves music, actually wasn't all that interested in the concert. He was mostly interested in all the snacks his grandma brought!
Oliver really wanted to use the camera during the concert. I gave it to him and showed him how to press the top button to take a photo. This is the first picture Oliver has ever taken (it's his finger):
Oliver, who loves music, actually wasn't all that interested in the concert. He was mostly interested in all the snacks his grandma brought!
Oliver really wanted to use the camera during the concert. I gave it to him and showed him how to press the top button to take a photo. This is the first picture Oliver has ever taken (it's his finger):
Monday, March 14, 2011
Oliver's First Music Class
Oliver and I had our first parent-tot music class today, courtesy of my mother-in-law. I've been so excited for this class because Oliver loves songs and singing. He wants us to put on music videos for him all the time, and if we sing one song to him, we have to sing ten. He start his day with a song and end it with a song. So, yes, it seemed like a great idea.
The class starts at 9:45am, which is a difficult time because Oliver usually takes a short nap around 9am or 9:30am. We arrived at the class, and he was upset to see all the other kids. He clung to me and buried his head in my lap. The rest of the toddlers ran around, exploring the room, staring at other kids, and playing with the blinds. I was a little jealous of the other moms and kids. It was clear that the other moms all got little breaks while their kids played. With Oliver, we still don't get that. I figure that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, though. Maybe they were jealous that my son is a big snuggler.
The class was designed for ADD toddlers, I swear. Each activity lasted about two minutes. Oliver would just start to get interested in something and grab for the drum, maraca, or whatever was the toy of the minute, and then we'd have to put it away and start the next activity. One song/game involved the teacher playing music faster and faster, but every time she stopped, we'd have to stop moving/walking/dancing. Oliver didn't want to be put down the entire time, so I held him and would walk and bounce to the music. When it'd stop, I'd do an exaggerated freeze. Oliver started cracking up, and then that activity was over, too.
At one point, a boy who just turned one got upset about having to give up his maraca. He let out a scream. That did it for Oliver. He dissolved into a sobbing mess, and laid in my arms like an infant. The teacher thought he was sobbing because he had to give up his maracas. Nope.
To be fair, there was one other girl there who was pretty reserved. She'd turned two in December, and the class is supposed to be up to the age of two. However, because the next age bracket is much louder and rowdier, the instructor let her stay in the tot class for one more season. She was very quiet and didn't talk once. She was interested in the instruments, but she didn't play them. She was the only other kid besides Oliver who wouldn't shake a maraca.
The 45 minutes went by slowly. I felt awful for Oliver because it was clear he was miserable in the class, but I also felt confident that the class would end up being good for him. It's every week for a few months, and I think he'll slowly get used to having the other kids around. It'll help him come out of his shell a bit (I hope). Also, I know that, once he gets the routine of the class down, he'll enjoy it much more. Oliver is one of those children that really thrives on routine. The class was too new for him today, and maybe it will be next week, but I think it'll be a lot better after that.
I have a new plan for next week. I'll leave the house around 8:45am, get a Starbucks, and drive around the neighborhood so Oliver can doze before we head over to the rec center. I'll get some relaxation time, and he won't be so crabby in class!
The class starts at 9:45am, which is a difficult time because Oliver usually takes a short nap around 9am or 9:30am. We arrived at the class, and he was upset to see all the other kids. He clung to me and buried his head in my lap. The rest of the toddlers ran around, exploring the room, staring at other kids, and playing with the blinds. I was a little jealous of the other moms and kids. It was clear that the other moms all got little breaks while their kids played. With Oliver, we still don't get that. I figure that the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, though. Maybe they were jealous that my son is a big snuggler.
The class was designed for ADD toddlers, I swear. Each activity lasted about two minutes. Oliver would just start to get interested in something and grab for the drum, maraca, or whatever was the toy of the minute, and then we'd have to put it away and start the next activity. One song/game involved the teacher playing music faster and faster, but every time she stopped, we'd have to stop moving/walking/dancing. Oliver didn't want to be put down the entire time, so I held him and would walk and bounce to the music. When it'd stop, I'd do an exaggerated freeze. Oliver started cracking up, and then that activity was over, too.
At one point, a boy who just turned one got upset about having to give up his maraca. He let out a scream. That did it for Oliver. He dissolved into a sobbing mess, and laid in my arms like an infant. The teacher thought he was sobbing because he had to give up his maracas. Nope.
To be fair, there was one other girl there who was pretty reserved. She'd turned two in December, and the class is supposed to be up to the age of two. However, because the next age bracket is much louder and rowdier, the instructor let her stay in the tot class for one more season. She was very quiet and didn't talk once. She was interested in the instruments, but she didn't play them. She was the only other kid besides Oliver who wouldn't shake a maraca.
The 45 minutes went by slowly. I felt awful for Oliver because it was clear he was miserable in the class, but I also felt confident that the class would end up being good for him. It's every week for a few months, and I think he'll slowly get used to having the other kids around. It'll help him come out of his shell a bit (I hope). Also, I know that, once he gets the routine of the class down, he'll enjoy it much more. Oliver is one of those children that really thrives on routine. The class was too new for him today, and maybe it will be next week, but I think it'll be a lot better after that.
I have a new plan for next week. I'll leave the house around 8:45am, get a Starbucks, and drive around the neighborhood so Oliver can doze before we head over to the rec center. I'll get some relaxation time, and he won't be so crabby in class!
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